Harvester Component Position Control Using Image-Based Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural harvesters face challenges in preventing damage to moveable components due to collisions with objects in their movement zones, as existing systems rely on operator input and cannot detect environmental objects like trees or utility poles.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural harvester system equipped with an imaging device and a computing system that captures and analyzes image data to determine the presence of objects within the movement zone, controlling actuators to prevent contact between moveable components and objects, thereby avoiding damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the residue spreader is moved from operational position to service position, then operator access to internal components is enabled, but contact with attached implements may occur causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device captures images of the area behind the harvester before the residue spreader is moved to the service position. The computing system analyzes these images to detect the presence of implements or other objects in advance, and prevents actuator operation before contact can occur, thereby avoiding damage while still allowing operator access when safe
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device and computing system serve as an intermediary between the operator's intent to move the residue spreader and the actual actuator operation. This intermediary system detects objects in the movement zone and controls the actuator to prevent contact, mediating between the need for operator access and the risk of damage
2Reliability
If imaging devices and computing systems are added to detect objects, then collision prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the harvester's existing imaging devices and computing resources to perform object detection for collision prevention. By repurposing existing components rather than adding entirely new specialized sensors, the system achieves reliable collision detection while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device and computing system serve multiple functions: they detect objects for collision prevention, monitor the movement zone for operator safety, and can potentially track environmental objects like trees and poles. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing multiple benefits from a single system addition
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the actuator is controlled to prevent contact with objects, then damage is reduced, but operational efficiency may decrease due to movement restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects in the movement zone before the residue spreader begins moving. By detecting implements and environmental objects in advance and preventing actuator operation only when objects are present, the system protects against damage while minimizing restrictions on normal operational movements, thereby maintaining efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural harvester (10) including a harvester component (18, 68, 91) and an actuator (102, 110, 116) configured to move the harvester component (18, 68, 91) between a first position and a second position within a harvester component movement zone (80, 89) positioned adjacent to the agricultural harvester (10). Furthermore, the agricultural harvester (10) includes an imaging device (108) configured to capture image data depicting the harvester component movement zone (80, 89). Additionally, the agricultural harvester (10) includes a computing system (118) configured to receive the image data captured by the imaging device (108). Moreover, the computing system (118) is configured to determine when an object is present within the harvester component movement zone (80, 89) based on the received image data. In addition, when it is determined that the object is present within the harvester component movement zone (80, 89), the computing system (118) is configured to control an operation of the actuator (102, 110, 116) such that contact between the harvester component (18, 68, 91) and the object is prevented.